Healthy Schools Pennsylvania
Program Overview

Everyone has a role to play in creating healthy, safe and sustainable learning environments for children. Each one of us can make an impact on schools where thousands of children, faculty and staff spend over 1,000 hours every year. Women for a Healthy Environment’s Healthy Schools PA program is designed to empower parents, students, educators, staff and administrators to take an active role in creating healthy school environments, providing tools, guides and other resources to bridge communities with their schools and effectively create an advocacy network capable of bringing about social and policy change throughout the school system.

Why Healthy Schools?

Close to 2 million students are currently enrolled in public schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition to students, thousands of teachers and staff members spend about 9,000 hours a year in school buildings and on school grounds. There, they are exposed to environmental hazards including, but not limited to poor air quality, toxic building materials and pesticides. These health risks are discussed far too infrequently. Healthy Schools PA works to increase awareness of environmental health factors in school systems while supporting policies directly correlating to improved health outcomes and academic performance by engaging the school community.

Our Goals

Serving as a central voice and hub for information across the region by engaging students, parents, community leaders and school district personnel.
Increasing awareness in the school systems about environmental health factors.
Providing samples of policies that directly correlate to improved health outcomes and academic performance.
Developing a platform that connects organizations such as Parent-Teacher Associations, state agencies and non-government organizations to encourage collaboration.

Healthy Schools Recognition Program

While we realize making our schools healthier is its own reward, we also know it’s important to recognize and celebrate all schools and school districts who take positive actions toward improving the well-being of students and teachers. That’s why we created the annual Healthy School Recognition Program. Click for a list of Healthy Schools.

Healthy Schools Summit

The Healthy Schools Summit, held annually, brings together school stakeholders for an enriching and engaging co-learning opportunity to hear from industry experts, share lessons and community knowledge, collaborate on school health initiatives and take an active role in promoting green and healthy learning environments.

Testimonials

I just wanted to thank the both of you for the work you did this summer with Assemble. It was awesome having you join us as guests, and your expertise was really well received by the kids. I especially appreciated your ability to keep the activities and atmosphere fun while communicating interesting and relevant material. I look forward to our continued collaboration.

(Aug 2020)

Devon Teacher/Studio Coordinator at Assemble Pgh

We just received our STEAM activity kits and I’m so blown away by the thought put into these and how they will help kids be able to think critically in the future. I would love to know how best I can further support Women for a Healthy Environment or Healthy Schools PA. I love what you are doing and would like to be able to contribute in some way. Please let me know, if possible, what your organizations need most.

(July 2020)

Nicole Q. Parent

Our childhood asthma group would like to thank you again for all your help with providing us with awesome resources and information so that we could create the best solution possible.

(Nov 2019)

Sommer S. & Katherine D. CMU Students

The Healthy Schools Summit was a great event. You and your organization do such a great job. On Monday we will be sharing our success story with the school board. Thank you again for being the champion that you and the other woman in your organization are to making the environment better for the future children of southwest PA.

(Oct 2019)

Facilities Director

Thank you for this vital information (regarding air quality). We are located near Pittsburgh. I forwarded your notice to my principals and they agreed to cancel all outdoor recess today based on the information received.

(Jan 2020)

School Nurse

Devon Teacher/Studio Coordinator at Assemble Pgh

Nicole Q. Parent

Our childhood asthma group would like to thank you again for all your help with providing us with awesome resources and information so that we could create the best solution possible.

(Nov 2019)

Sommer S. & Katherine D. CMU Students

Facilities Director

School Nurse

Facilities Director

School Nurse